Self belief can't make a team better than it is.
But self belief, allied to a fierce commitment, discipline and and a huge workrate can ensure that the team in question is more than the sum of its parts.
Gutted: Jackson Irvine looks dejected as Blaise Matuidi celebrated at the full time whistle.
Photo: AP
Character, courage and conviction can help bridge the talent gap most, if not all the way. But if luck deserts you no end of hard work and commitment will turn things your way.
And thats just what the Socceroos didnt have in their World Cup opener against the highly regarded French in Kazan.
Thus it was that Australia, who, for more than 80 minutes, had looked likely to get something out of this game, were undone in the last few minutes when Paul Pogbas late winner meant that it was Les Bleus who emerged from this game with their tails up and three points in the bank.
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There was enough in this performance, however, to suggest that this might be a setback rather than the end of this World Cup adventure. If they play in this manner against Denmark and Peru then Australia will give themselves every chance of getting out of the group.
Having a leader with the nerves of Mile Jedinak – a man whom most pundits did not even expect to play in the World Cup opener against the might of the France – is also an advantage.
The Socceroos, physical, combative, athletic and powerful, showed that they also possessed great mental strength, lifting themselves off the floor after going behind to a penalty awarded in controversial circumstances by the VAR.
The team took its cue from Jedinak, a man whose big game temperament and ice-cold nerves were illustrated once more when he stepped up to equalised from the penalty spot after Australia was awarded their own penalty just minutes after France had been given the lead through Antoine Griezmanns spot kick.
The Socceroos Dutch coach Bart van Marwijk had urged his charges not to be overawed by the fact that they were playing a team full of big-name stars. Be yourselves, he had demanded. Stand tall. Play the men, not the myths, he had told them.
Ignore the fact that Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Ousmane Dembele and the rest of their French counterparts might have a collective value of $1 billion dollars on the transfer market.
The Dutchman has a fine record in club and international football, and all his nous and experience showed in the lead-up to the game. Few expected Jedinak to start, but the man with what has been described as the greatest beard seen in Russia since Rasputin led his side out.
The rest though, had been telegraphed. About two minutes into the game those watching from on high had a perfect picture of the Socceroos approach as they lined the field in two symmetrical banks of four with Tom Rogic slightly advanced of the rest of the midfield and Andrew Nabbout left to plough a lone lonely furrow up front.
The aim was to crowd the French, deny them space, prevent them playing through the lines, ensure they had to improvise, think and create something out of the ordinary to find a way through.
That Les Bleus had the bulk of first-half possession and caused problems for the Socceroos defence was to be expected. Australias plan was always going to be a footballing equivalent of Muhammad Alis Rope A Dope strategy devised years ago when he knocked out George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire. Let the French come on, let them have possession and then try to hit them on the counter.
But every time Frances fearsome front three got into threatening areas, Australia found an answer.
Aaron Mooy was a calm, collected presence, covering, tidying up, knocking the ball around, sideways to his full-backs, back to his goalkeeper when necessary.
And Trent Sainsbury at the back had an excellent game, ably abetted by Mark Milligan. Sainsbury, the captain in waiting found a leg, a shoe, or got his head on the ball on numerous occasions to snuff out danger as the French frontmen threatened.
The second half, when the quality of the French might have been expected to come to the fore did not play out as expected. Until Pogbas late strike, this was in the balance. It was a good, if unlucky start for Australia. But they are still in there and pitching.
Michael Lynch, The Age's expert on soccer, has had extensive experience of high level journalism in the UK and Australia. Michael has covered the Socceroos through Asia, Europe and South America in their past three World Cup campaigns. He has also reported on Grands Prix and top class motor sport from Asia and Europe. He has won several national media awards for both sports and industry journalism.
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